I recall Dawn speaking about the writing of this books. It was the first book she wrote after she had nearly died from the car accidently eleven years ago,which left her confined to a wheelchair and only partial use of her hands. She would go to the local library to do her research, and as they grew to know what she was doing, they requested more and more books for her. It paid off. The historical period is rich in detail and understanding. A masterpiece of historical fiction.

A note to Dawn's fans: This book is NOT a Romance novel, as many of her other books were, but a work of Historical FICTION. There is a romance in the book, but it's very small compared to the tapestry of the sweeping historical saga. Please read it with that in mind.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Today is Poverty Awareness Day (October 15th) and I cannot think of a situation that brings this closer to home that the life and death of Dawn Thompson, and what is now facing her sister, Diane.

I won't address the many hard knocks that hit the Thompson sisters through the years.Life tends to visit death, loss and unfortunate circumstances upon us all.It's their later life―and death of Dawn―that touches my heart and mind on this day meant to bring world consciousness to the ugliness of poverty.

Eleven years ago, Dawn was hit in a car accident that left her unable to walk.She could barely take more than two or three steps, dragging one leg.She had rods in her arms, and due to improper care in hospital, she lost the use of the last three fingers on her left and right hand.They were curled back and could no longer respond for her.From that point on a wheelchair was her only means of moving about.There was a settlement for the accident, so she was able to get along.

The government provided her $565 per month in disability (I have no idea why so LOW), meaning she would have had no means of existing without the settlement.They originally provided her with an aid in the morning to help bathe and get her dressed.Another came in the afternoon to do errands such as pick up medicine, fetch groceries and do laundry.A third came in just before bedtime to help her undress and get into bed.Three years ago, they decided Dawn was getting too much aid, and cut her aids for afternoon and evening.Afternoons were difficult, but the night aid really was missed most of all.It was very hard for Dawn to get out of the wheelchair after sitting in it for 12 hours straight.Sometimes it took her an hour of battling just to get into bed.This was a woman in her late sixties and riddled with pain and arthritis.Each night was dangerous on her heart.

Dawn's plight became more acute at the end of 2005.She had an accident that nearly killed her―the wheelchair malfunctioned and tossed her into the dishwasher, ripping open her thigh.She was lucky she didn't bleed to death.Medical expenses mounted.Yes, she had Medicare.But co-payments and so many medicines she needed were not covered by the government support saw her money from the accident settlement eaten up by these expenses.She was forced in the spring of 2007 to sell her pre-paid funeral policy just to pay her rent.She had to choose between food and a roof over her head.Things grew so grim, that I began sending her food and cat food.Author Rowena Cherry was another who sent money to help Dawn, as well as my dear friend Monika Wolmarans.Monika is retired and on very limited means herself, so her giving to help Dawn really touched me.I thank both ladies for their caring about Dawn's plight.

Dawn fell had to be hospitalized, and things spiraled out of control.People couldn't understand how a woman with over a dozen books out for two publishers didn't have plenty of money.Well, sad fact, new authors don't make big bucks, and often you have to wait 2-3 years before you are seeing money from your books.The money those books would earn would came way too late to help Dawn.

During her final days, her younger sister, Diane, stayed with her as much as possible.She was a driver-education instructor and basically the only person there for Dawn in her final days.She requested family emergency leave, and was refused.Then she requested vacation time – time she would spend easing her sister in her final moments.The hard-hearted boss refused to give her vacation time.Instead, she was forced to choose between obeying her boss and being there with Dawn in her final moments.I am eternally grateful she chose to be there for Dawn. I do not want to imagine how horrible it would have been for my friend had she faced dying alone.

Only, the problems started for Diane.Diane―called Candy by her friends―was fired by her hard-hearted boss.She is sixty-one, has trouble walking without a cane because of arthritis in her knees.She was forced on unemployment, which barely paid her rent.What money she had in reserves went for food, electric and phone.Very quickly, she was facing little food in the house, losing electric and phone service.Unemployment was extended three months.We are hoping they will extend it another time, but so far that hasn't happened.Things are getting grim for her, and once again, I am sending food shipments.Once again Monika, who has so little, is sending money to help.

Candy is sixty-one.Recently, she went in for a job interview and the lady took one look at her slow gait and told her not to bother applying.Candy doesn't own a car, doesn't live near buses (couldn't walk to them if they were near), and is in an area too far from anything that might provide a job.Even if she could get to a job, it would have to be one where she could sit down.She just cannot stand all day.Within a few weeks she is going to be facing some ugly decisions if she doesn't get some help from somewhere.There is a period of about seven months before she can get Social Security.She might qualify for disability, too, but she would spend months, even years getting that.She needs help NOW.

What are the answers?I don't have them.I do know the American government allows their seniors to live on next to nothing.Rent subsidy for New York is only about $350.WHERE can you live in New York for that?The answer from the social worker ― "You can't.You will have to go into a group home, but you don't want that as it's nothing but drug addicts."Candy was denied medical aid.This woman NEEDS medical care and cannot get it.She checked into Meals on Wheels and was told sure they could add her, but the meals came with a fee.A fee?She cannot afford anything.She is facing winter afraid of losing heat, electric and being thrown into the streets.

There are untold of Dawns and Dianes out there.Too many.The government just bailed out the economy, gave out rebates earlier this year to everyone. But nothing to help those who really are in need.Both Diane and Candy worked all their lives, paid their taxes and Social Security.Yet, when they needed help it was and isn't' there.How can this United States sentence their elderly to this sort of humiliating and life threatening circumstances?

Someone needs to care.We all need to care.Time ran out for Dawn.Time is running out for Candy.How many others are facing the same sort of scary, grim circumstances as the holidays approach?When you sit down to your turkey dinner come Thanksgiving, take a moment to consider those who won't have the comfort of family, a safe place to live, and food on the table.

Don't say how sad.DO SOMETHING.Demand of your representative to ensure better care for our elderly; look around you, see how you can help.Millions are being collected for the poor in other countries, which is perfectly fine, but who is looking after the poor and sick and helpless in the USA?"Family and friends" should come first before we pour money into other countries.Is a sad state of affairs. We are always ready and willing to donate money to a good cause.Help is needed right here at home. It should be made easier for people to qualify for funds, red tape should be cut. It is very humiliating to apply for welfare or for help, it takes far too long to receive funds and the deserving cases are getting nothing, or have to fight over and over and have to wait until it is too late.

And on a more personal note we all need to do more to help family and friends - shame on those who turns their back on their family and friends when they need help. Bad Karma will come visiting you one day!

Robert had wondered why she hadn’t seemed to notice his helmet.For a moment he stared at her.Then his posture sagged, and he ground out a bitter laugh as he picked up the coins in question.

“There is no harm in being blind, monsieur,” she said defensively.

“No, there is not, lass, forgive me,” he said.

“Were you with them, then?”

“Hardly,” said Robert, righting her cart. “In my country, men do not abuse young lasses—blind or otherwise.”

“You speak the language well enough for a foreigner,” she observed. “Where do you come from, then?”

“I am Robert Mack, of Paxton, Scotland, Laird of Berwickshire.I was tutored in French as a child, but not nearly well enough in manners.I beg you forgive my want of conduct.I have come in search of Michel Eyguem, seigneur de Montaigne, of this city.I have a letter of introduction from my uncle, a monk at the abbey on St. Michael’s Mount.”

“Ahhh,” she breathed.There was great relief in the sound.

“What are you called, lass?”

“My name is Violette Cherier, and I am in your debt, my lord.Those men…they were quite rowdy, and would, I fear, have had their way with me if you had not intervened.”

“I think they were a mite too drunk for that,” he said, amused at her drama. “If you were sighted, you would have seen it.”

“You have saved my coins.What of my flowers?Have they ruined them?”

“Some still remain,” he said, frowning toward the scant few that hadn’t been trampled.Stooping, he retrieved what was left of the blooms and placed them back into the cart somewhat clumsily. “You will have to sell them quickly,” he informed her.“All the water has been spilt…unless you tell me where to fetch more?”

“I will fetch more water, my lord.I have detained you long enough.I know of seigneur de Montaigne.He is known, and loved in the vendor’s quarter, as he is everywhere in Paris.His chalet lies on the western fringes of the city.If you had but turned to your right when you stepped off the bridge, and not become involved with me, you would have nearly reached it by now.”

Robert was following her directions with his eyes, when all at once the two gendarmes who had been watching him since he left the docks, took hold of him from behind.Resisting, he cried out in protest as they shackled him in irons, groped the doublet beneath his cloak for his coin purse, and relieved him of the sword and dinner knife sheathed at his side.One of them opened the purse and probed its contents, stirring the coins inside.Juggling it in his hand, he assessed its weight, discarded the letter of introduction Aengus had given him, which floated to the ground, then tightened the thong cord again, and thrust it beneath his own belt.

When the other grabbed hold of his helmet, Robert fought back with a well-aimed foot that found the man’s genitals beneath his codpiece doubling him over, and the other reached around to remove the device himself, loosing a string of blasphemous oaths, while the first man recovered himself.

“Keep silent, wench!” barked the gendarme who still had the power of speech. “He’s done something now.He’s attacked an officer of the French Police, papers or no, and he goes to the Bastile, your foreign noble.”

“She speaks truth.” Robert thundered. “Do not remove the helm.Do not, I say!”

But the injured gendarme was on his feet at last, and between them they yanked it off his head.

“Mon Dieu!” cried the first, reeling away from the sight. “Plague!”

The other let Robert go, meanwhile wiping his hands on his tunic, and Violette rushed forward kicking air, until she found the man’s shins at which point she gave them a healthy drubbing with the toe of her shoe.

The one called Henri, still soothing his genitals, pulled her off the other shoving her aside roughly, and she stumbled and fell to the cobblestone street beside her flower cart.

“Garboneaux can deal with this,” said Jean-Claude, slapping the helm back in place on Robert’s head.“Bring him, and be quick!”

“No!” Violette shrilled.

“Keep still, unless you want to join him,” Henri warned her.

“I have no plague, you fools,” Robert insisted. “I have been burned. The helm spares such as you the sight and me embarrassment for it.If you will but loose these accursed irons, I will show you my credentials.”

But they paid him no mind, nor did they head the girl’s cries as they hauled him quickly away.

The Waterlord

The Privateer

Dawn MacTavish books; K.I.S.S. Award Romatic Times

Spanish translation of The Privateer

available on Amazon.com

Lord of the Deep

Book 1 of The Elementals; 2 time LASR Award Nominee - Best Long Book Print; Best Long Book E-Print (Kindle Version); PEARL Finalist 2007 for Best Shapeshifter; Golden Rose Award Nominee 2007 - Best Erotica

Dawn's Last Column for Crochet World

Dawn wrote a column for Crochet World for 30 years. Her last column will be run in the December 2008 issue. Somehow it is fitting, this will also mark the last issue to be edited by Dawn's long time editor Susan Tullis, who is retiring after this issue.

In the issue, Dawn discusses how to make a jacket. The actual jacket that is displayed in the article was made by Diane Thompson, Dawn's her sister. So both sisters worked together on this project.

This issue will be a tribute to sisterly love, and the long time relationship of Dawn and Susan, as columnist and editor.